Embalmer&#39;s syringe



Aug. 24, 1954 P. A. DONAHUE EMBALMERS SYRINGE Filed July 21, 1949 5Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 24, 1954 P. A. DONAHUE EMBALMER'S SYRINGE 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 21, 1949 INVENTOR Aug. 24, 1954 p DONAHUE2,686,952

EMBALMERS SYRINGE Filed July 21, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR PatentedAug. 24, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIICE 2,686,952 EMBALMERS SYRINGEPhilip A. Donahue, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application July 21, 1949, Serial No. 105,950

The present invention relates to embalmers syringes and processes ofembalming.

A purpose of the invention is to permit better control of the conditionsand especially the pressure of introduction of embalming fluid into acadaver.

A further purpose is to avoid swelling and discoloration in a cadaverdue to embalming techmque.

A further purpose is to simplify the procedure of introduction ofembalming fluid so that the embalmer can occupy himself with other taskssuch as massaging and sponging which should desirably be carried onduring the period of injection.

c A further purpose is to avoid the trouble of hand mixing of embalmingfluid, and to avoid the skin burns which have commonly resulted by skincontact with concentrated embalming fluid.

A further purpose is to permit the use of regulated pressure to breakthrough obstructions in the arteries and veins of the cadaver.

A further purpose is to introduce embalming fluid by water pressureapplied to one end of a syringe, thus filling with water the end towhich pressure is applied, then to mix concentrated embalming fluiddirectly with this water, thus saving time in making up new solutions,and then to reverse the syringe so that the end which formerly containedembalming fluid will now act as the pumping end and be connected to thewater pressure.

A further purpose is to supply concentrated embalming fluid to thesyringe by means of a T from a vessel containing concentrated embalmingA further purpose is to employ an auxiliary syringe for introduction ofconcentrated fluid into the system of the invention, connecting thesyringe preferably to an intermediate point between the ends of thecylinder of the main syringe, and desirably providing the auxiliarysyringe with a branch connection to a container for concentrated fluid.

Further purposes appear in the specification and in the claims.

In the drawings I have chosen to illustrate a few only of the numerousembodiments in which my invention appears, selecting the forms shownfrom the standpoints of convenience in illustration, satisfactoryoperation and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a syringe embodying the principles of thepresent invention.

2 Claims. (01. 27-24) Figure 2 is an axial section of the syringechamber or barrel.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modification, andomitting the artery tube and hose.

Figure 4 is a diagram of reversible connections to the syringe.

Figure 5 is a diagram of a variant form of the invention.

Describing in illustration but not in limitation and referring to thedrawings:

In embalming, it is common practice to open an artery and a vein, andinject embalming fluid, at the same time removing body fluid; This hasbeen accomplished in the past in many cases by the use of hand syringes,although more recently electrical syringes have been used in some cases.

The optimum operating conditions particularly as to pressure varymarkedly with each individual case, and the skilled embalmer should makedue allowance for the speed with which the cadaver drains. For example,if death has been due to arteriosclerosis, the draining rate is usuallyvery low and due allowance should be made in injection. Carelessembalming, particularly in the case of too fast injection, may causeswelling and discoloration of the cadaver, and if this condition oncedevelops it is very difficult to restore the appearance to normal. Muchcan be done by the embalmer through massaging and sponging during theinjection, butin the case of the prior art devices already mentioned ithas been necessary to give such concentrated attention to the syringeitself, that if any sponging or massaging has been done at the time ofinjection it has required the service of an additional operator.

Much difiiculty has been caused by the necessity that the embalmer handmix the solution, and that is not only troublesome but sometimes causesburns which discolor and roughen the parts affected when concentratedembalming fluid comes in contact with the hands or wrists.

In some cases complete embalming has been dimcult through the inabilityof the embalmer to reduce obstructions in the circulatorysystem of thecadaver.

The present invention permits the embalmer to avoid constant individualattention to the operation of the syringe, making it possible for thesyringe to continue operation for periods of the order of five to tenminutes without supervision, while the embalmer can devote his attentionto massaging, sponging and other duties. The pressure can be regulatedvery accurately at any desirable safe value, but in case an obstruc- 3tion is encountered will build up automatically to break down orovercome the obstruction. At the same time the rate of injection will bedetermined by the pressure set.

Not only is hand manipulation of the syringe avoided, but hand mixing ofthe solution can be wholly or partially avoided as desired.

Considering first the form of Figures 1 and 2, a syringe is shown havinga cylinder or barrel 2i consisting of a suitable tubular housing 22,conveniently made of a transparent plastic such as acrylic resin, andhaving marks 23 indicating quantity. The housing is suitably of circularcross section, and externally threaded at 24 at each end. Heads 25 and26 suitably internally threaded are screwed on the housing of thecylinder at the ends. The heads may conveniently be of metal such asaluminum alloy, stainless steel or other suitable material. Each of theheads has a liquid fitting 2'! or 28, conveniently a nipple intended forconnection to a surgical rubber hose.

A floating piston lid is mounted in the cylinder, convenientlyconsisting of a rubber body 3| with metallic discs 32 and 33 at theopposite ends, held together by a screw 34 engaging a socket screw 35 ina suitable central opening through the discs and rubber body. Thefloating piston 38 is suitably lubricated so that it will move back andforth in the cylinder under slight fluid pressure differential.

In thesimplest form of the invention, a source of water pressure such aswarm or cold water faucet 36 is connected by a hose Bl to the fitting 2?at one end of the cylinder. The other end of the cylinder desirably isprovided with a T connection 38into the fitting 2B which permitsattachment of a pressure gage 48..

The fitting 28 is connected by a hose 4| to a suitable applicator 132,known as an embalmers artery tube.

In operation in the simplest form, the syringe while disconnected fromthe source of water pressure will have one of its heads 25 open, and

the syringe will desirably stand upright with the i open end at the top.The floating piston can then be pressed down as by the hand to thebottom of the cylinder or to any desired level, and concentratedembalming fluid and water will be introduced into the upper portion ofthe cylinder. The marks'23 on the side of the cylinder can be used tomeasure the number of ounces of concentrated embalming fluid beingintroduced, after which the space can be filled with water. The head 25isthen screwed on and the artery tube hose M is connected tov the fittin28. The device is then desirably placed in horizonal position as shownin. Figure 1. The artery tube is then introduced, as into an artery, andthe pressure hose 37 connected to the fitting 23 is also connected tothe source of Water under pressure and the water turned on. The quantityof. water turned on can be regulated by the amount of opening of thefaucet, or if the pressure on the water system is excessive, anotherfaucet in the water system can be opened to reduce the pressure. Thepressure applied can be observed on the pressure gage 4!]. Good resultsare often obtained using pressures of 1 to 2 pounds per square inch. Atpressures of this order I find that the two quarts content of thesyringe which I normally employ will be discharged in approximately-sixto seven minutes, in the case of a normal cadaver.

If the injection appears to be too fast it can be cut down by reducingthe flow at the faucet or increasing the opening of another faucet onthe same system. Similar regulation can be accomplished by ahydroaspirator as later explained.

Once the contents of the syringe have been discharged, the floatingpiston 30 will move up to a position adjoining the head 26, whiletheopposite end of the syringe will be filled with the water whichapplied the pressure. It is then necessary to make up a new charge ofembalming fiuid. This is done very readily by turning oh the water atthe faucet 3%, raising the syringe with the head 25 uppermost, removingthe head 25, pouring out a small quantity of water, and then introducingthe required quantity of concentrated embalming fluid to the syringe,partially full of water as desired. Stirring may be employed for mixing,if desired. The head 25 is then put on and the hoses are reversed, thepressure hose from the faucet now going to fitting 28 on head 26, andthe artery tube hose 4| now going to fitting 2'? on head 25. The syringeis preferably placed on its side, and once again the water at the faucetis turned on, the correct pressure established, and the injectioncontinued until all or any part of the syringe full has been discharged.

Thus it will be evident that the syringe is reversed after eachdischarge of its contents, and the water which formerly provided thepressure on the previous stroke now makes up solution by mixing withconcentrated embalming fluid.

By this procedure much of the trouble of mixing up solution may beeliminated and the likelihood of skin burns may be greatly reduced,While the time of mixing is shortened to a minimum.

Very little attention need be given to the injection while it is goingon, the embalmer simply watching the gage as required. He can give hisattention to the efiect of the injection, applying massage and spongingat points which will aid drainage, and performing other duties.

Whenever an obstruction builds up, I find that the pressure will riseslightly, usually to a level of the order of five to ten pounds, andwill then readily break through and continue the injection.

In some cases it is desirable to further simplify and facilitate theprocedure, and this is illustrated in the alternate form of Figure 3.

In this case the fitting 21 is provided with a stopcock 43, a flowmeter. connecting in the line, and a stopcock 46 and T 47 and a bottleor other suitable vessel 50 for concentrated embalming fluid invertedabove the syringe and connecting to the T by a screw fittingv 5| and astopcock 52; An auxiliary fitting 53 provided with a stopcock 54, isalso made into the head 25. At the fitting 28 on the head 26', astopcock 55 is provided, then the T 38 and pressure gage 40; then thestopcock 56, then afiow meter 58, next a stopcock Sc and then a T :6!connecting through a stopcock 62 and screw fitting 63 with a bottle orother vessel 64 for concentrated embalming fluid above the syringe. Anauxiliary fitting and stopcock 65 is also provided at the head 26.

To facilitate introduction of concentrated embalming fluid, each of thebottles 50' and 64 is preferably provided near the top with an airopening 6601' 61, whichmay for example besealed as by cork: or wax priorto useoi the bottle.

The syringe of Figure 3 is alternately connected to the applicator andto the source of pressure as in the case of Figure 1. An additionalrefinement in pressure application is, however,preferably used,consisting of a hydroaspirator 68, of well known type, connected to thefaucet 36,.

having a drain connection and having a side connection H. A two-way cook12 in the hydroaspirator permits adjustment so that water from thehydroaspirator will be discharged through the side connection H in oneposition, but water from the hydroaspirator will be passed down thedrain connection 10 in another position, thus applying suction to theconnection ll as well known.

To start the operation, the cylinder isfllled with water, for example byintroducing water from the pressure hose 3! through the side connectionof the hydroaspirator, into the fitting 53 and through open cook 54(cocks 46 and. 52 being closed) until the floating piston moves to aposition adjoining the head 26'. At this time, cocks 55, 56 and 60 areopen and connected to the artery tube, and cooks 62 and 65 are closed.The cock 60 on the fitting 28 is now turned off, and the cock 62 fromthe bottle 64 containing concentrated embalming fluid is opened. Thestopcock 12 on the hydroaspirator is shifted to discharge water throughthe drain connection 10, thus applying suction to the side connection 1l, the hose 31, and the fitting 53 to the floating piston. The valve 52is of course still closed. As an alternative procedure, water need notbe introduced on the opposite side of the piston before applying suctionto suck in concentrated embalming fluid. The application of suctioncauses the floating piston to move away from thehead 26, drawingconcentrated embalming fluid to the desired quantity into the syringe atthat end, air entering the opening 61. When the floating piston hasmoved back sufficiently as indicated by the marks on the housing, thevalve 62 is shut ofi, stopping the flow of concentrated embalming fluidinto the syringe, and the suction is shut ofi, stopping the floatingpiston. The pressure hose 3'! is now reversed and connected to thefitting 65, while at the same time the applicator hose 4| (Figure 1) isconnected to the fitting 21'. The stopcock 12 on the hydroaspirator isadjusted to cut oil flow through the drain connection 10 and apply flowand water pressure to the side connection I l. The valves 43, 46, and 65are now all open, while the valves 54, 52, 55, 56, 60 and 62 remainclosed. If this is the first cycle, the artery tube is simply allowed todischarge its water into the sink while the pressure water enters thefitting 65 and mixes with the embalrning fluid on the side of thefloating piston toward the head 26'. As the water enters, it dilutesconcentrated embalming fluid in T 6| below valve 62.

At this point the stopcock 46 is closed, while the stopcock 12 on thehydroaspirator is shifted to apply suction to the hose 3'! through thefitting 65. The cook 52 is opened, and the correct amount ofconcentrated embalming fluid is now sucked into the cylinder on the endadjoining the head 25. As soon as this has been accomplished, the valve52 is closed and the hoses are reversed, while the hydroaspirator isshifted from suction to pressure. Under these conditions the pressurehose 3! is applied to the fitting 53, while the valve 54 is open and thevalves 43, 46 and 52 are closed. The artery tube hose 4| is attached tothe fitting 28, the valves 55, 56 and 60 being opened and the valves 62and 65 being closed.

The syringe is now ready to inject embalming fluid into the cadaver at apressure which is adjusted at the faucet 36 as previously explained. Theflow can be observed on the flow meter 58 and the pressure on the gage40.

At the end of the cycle, the proper amount of concentrated embalmingfluid can be drawn into the cylinder in the manner previously explainedbefore shifting, the hoses for application of pressure on the oppositeend.

By this procedure the syringe constantly makes up its next charge as itapplies the previous charge, the water which is making up the new chargebeing the same water which applies pressure to the previous charge. Inthis way all handling of the concentrated embalming fluid is avoided.

The reversal of the hoses can be accomplished without physicallyremoving and changing the connections, as shown in Figure 4. In thisform a pressure hose 3'! is connected to one stopcock 54 at one end ofthe syringe, and an alternate branched pressure hose 31 is connected toanother stopcock 65 at the other end. Stopcocks l3 and 14 respectivelyare interposed in. therespective hoses 31 and 31' to permit turning onone hose and turning off the other hose.

At the discharge end, alternate branch hoses 4i and 4 l run from therespective fittings 21 and 28 to a common connection 4| to the arterytube, valves 15 and 16 being interposed in the respective hoses 4| and4!.

Thus if a valve I3 is open to apply pressure to one end of the syringe,the valve 16 will be open to permit discharge from the other end of thesyringe and valves 14 and 15 will be closed. To reverse the connectionsit is then merely necessary to close valves 13 and 16 and open valves 14and 15. In this way the reversal can be accomplished more quickly thanby changing the hoses.

In the form of Figure 5, introduction of concentrated fluid for chargessubsequent to the first charge in the operation of the device isaccomplished through an auxiliary syringe l1, preferably connected asshown at an intermediate point 18 between the ends of the cylinder ofthe main syringe. This permits elimination of the bottles 50 and 64 andthe valves to them. This also dispenses with the necessity for thehydroaspirator as no suction need be used.

The auxiliary syringe connects into the cylinder of the main syringethrough a check valve which closes when suction is applied to theauxiliary syringe and opens when pressure is applied on the auxiliarysyringe. A branch connection 8i extends from the auxiliary syringe at apoint located toward that syringe with respect to the check valve 80,into a suitable open bottle 82 of concentrated fluid. A check valve 83in this branch connection closes when pressure is applied on theauxiliary syringe and opens when suction is applied on the auxiliarysyringe.

In operation of the form of Figure 5, the device can conveniently bestarted by inserting the required amount of concentrated fluid for onecharge at one end of the main cylinder, and filling the rest of that endof the main cylinder with water. The connections are then reversed, theartery tube being connected to the end. of the syringe in which thewater was formerly introduced, while the source of water pressure isapplied to the opposite end of the main syringe, stopping operation,however, before the floating piston has quite reached the other end ofthe main syringe. The water pressure being turned off, theauxiliarysyringe isthen operated, torcing the: floating piston theremainder of the: distance toward the end of the main syringe and at thesame time forcing concentrated fluid from the auxiliary syringe into themain syringe to create the next charge. The main syringe is rechargedthrough the branch BI and check valve 8 3 by suction on the mainsyringe. This operation is repeated on each stroke of the piston.

It will be evident that the invention makes possible very accuratecontrol of injection, and avoids the necessity of concentration by theembalmer on the mechanism of injection, permitting his attention toother duties during the period of injection.

It will also be evident that the invention makes possible applicationof. low pressure which will assure flow, followed by build-up ofpressure to overcome an obstruction in case an obstruction isencountered.

In view of my invention and disclosure, variations and modifications tomeet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident toothers skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of myinvention without copying the process and structure shown, and I,therefore, claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonablespirit and scope of my claims- Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Inanembalmers syringe, a cylinder, a floating piston in the cylinder,fluid connections to both ends of the cylinder, a hydroaspirator havinga suction position and a: pressure position connected to the fluidconnection at one end of the cylinder, a vessel containing concentratedembalming fluid above the cylinder, and a valve connection between thevessel and the other end of the cylinder.

2; In an embalmers syringe, a transparent barrel, a floating piston inthe barrel, heads removably secured to the opposite ends of the barrel,fiuid connections at the heads including Ts, flu-id fittings on onebranch of each T, valves in the fluid fittings beyond each T, containersfor concentrated embalming fiuid connected in the other branch of eachT, valvesbetween each container and its T, a hydroaspirator having asuction position and a pressure position adapted to be connected to thefitting at either head and an applicator adapted to be connected to thefitting at the other head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 419,778 Kendall Jan. 21, 1890 801,612 Schramm Oct. 10, 1905966,591 Payne Aug. 9, 1910 982,601 Hardy Jan. 24,1911

2,112,290 Holland Mar. 29, 1938 2,118,704 Grontkowski May 24, 1938FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 15,173 Great Britain 1897

